Case study 1 (See attached Table for Case #1)
Once you received your case number, answer the following questions:
1. What other subjective data would you obtain?
2. What other objective findings would you look for?
3. What diagnostic exams do you want to order?
4. Name 3 differential diagnoses based on this patient presenting symptoms?
5 Give rationales for each differential diagnosis.
Throat, Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disorders
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Instructor’s Name
Date
Throat, Respiratory & Cardiovascular Disorders
Introduction
Illnesses involving the respiratory system can cause detrimental health impacts to the patient. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most recognized respiratory diseases across the globe (Bernstein et al., 2017). The case study is about a 65-year-old male patient diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient states that he has had a cough for two weeks. The purpose of this paper is to discuss subjective and objective data, diagnostic exams, and differential diagnoses.
What other subjective data would you obtain?
The patient admitted experiencing coughs for two weeks as well as a persistent fever. However, it is important to ask the patient for more information in an attempt to identify the most probable cause of the problems (Agustí & Hogg, 2019). A care provider can ask the patient whether or not they experience fatigue. Other subjective data include chest tightness, difficulty berthing, frequent cold or flu, muscle aches, the urge to clear the throat, and a feeling of malaise (Agustí & Hogg, 2019). These symptoms could provide a deeper insight into the patient’s condition.
What other objective findings would you look for?
Objectives are information obtained by the health care providers through observation and diagnostic tests. Some of the objective information already obtained include temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pulse rate (Bernstein et al., 2017). Additionally, the patient appears tired, skin color is pale, diaphoretic, and sweaty. Other objective data a healthcare professional would obtain are swelling ankles and feet, and the production of discolored sputum. Others include sneezing, nasal discharge, and nasal congestion (Agustí & Hogg, 2019). The objective information is helpful to design an effective treatment regimen to help improve the patients’ health.
What diagnostic exams do you want to order?
Chest X-ray is an important diagnostic test for the patient. It can show emphysema, one of the primary causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chest X-rays can also help rule out other lung problems and heart failure (Bernstein et al., 2017). CT scan of the lungs can also help detect emphysema and determine whether surgery can be an effective treatment. Laboratory tests can be conducted to test for any respiratory infection (Bernstein et al., 2017). For instance, sputum tests, nasal swabs, and throat swabs can help determine the presence of infection or disease-causing organisms.
Name 3 differential diagnoses based on this patient presenting symptoms
The three differential diseases include:
- Asthma
- Congestive heart failure
- Bronchiectasis
Give rationales for each differential diagnosis
Asthma is a differential disease of COPD. Like COPD, asthma also manifests with shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing when exhaling. The delayed onset of severe asthma may be difficult to differentiate from COPD (Bernstein et al., 2017). Congestive heart failure is associated with symptoms such as fatigue and swelling in the ankles and feet. It may also manifest with wheezing and difficulty breathing. Bronchiectasis is marked by a persistent cough that is usually associated with phlegm and shortness of breath (Bernstein et al., 2017). These three illnesses can be confused with COPD.
Conclusion
Respiratory disorders can lead to detrimental health impacts. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the common respiratory disorders. The provided case study is about a patient with COPD. Objective and subjective data are important to designing a proper treatment regimen. The three differential diseases include asthma, congestive heart failure, and bronchiectasis.
References
Agustí, A., & Hogg, J. C. (2019). Update on the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(13), 1248-1256. 10.1056/NEJMra1900475
Bernstein, J. A., Wechsler, & Boulet, L.-P. (2017). Asthma COPD and the Overlap Syndrome: A Case-Based Overview of Similarities and Differences. CRC Press.